Railway switch-throw and mine switch-throw



D. J. KELLY.

RAILWAY SWITCH THROW AND MINE SWITCH THROW.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. a, 1921.

1,391,547, PatentedSept 20,1921.

' Z .32 J I 7' 6 30 g /e M as I a H I fl- 3/ I w T D TATES?" DUGALD J. KE LY, or Jonivs'ronloitrY, nmnois fl RAILWAY sw ron-i'rimow AND MINE-swIroH-rnnow,

' I Application filed March '8,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, DUGA-LD J. KELLY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Johnston City, in the county-of Williamson and State of Illinois, have invented 'cer-' 'tain new and useful Improvements in a Railway Switch-Throw and Mine Switch- Throw, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to railway switch operating apparatus, more particularly to the devices of this character employed in mine operations, andhas-for oneof its ob jects to simplify and improve th construction and increase the efficiency and utility of devices of this-character. I

Another object of the invention is'to provide a device of this character which .may be manually operated by a brakeman or other operator froma moving car without stopping the car.

WVith these and other objects in view vthe' invention consists of such novel features of construction as hereinafter shown and described and then specifically pointed out in the claims, and in the drawings illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the inven tion. Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of a railway track including the ties, a conventional switch, including the bridlebar and a part of the switch track, with the improved operating-apparatus applied.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail in section. on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail in section on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. ,5 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 2, illustrating a modification in the construction.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 5.

The improved operative mechanism may be adapted without material structural change to various forms of switches, but for the purpose of illustration is shown applied to a conventional split switch.

The ties are represented at 10, the continuous main line rail at 11, the combined main line and the side track rail at 12 and 13, the switch rails or points at 1 1 and 15, and the bridle or switch bar at .16, the latter coupled to the switch rails 14 and 15, these parts being of the usual construction.

Pivoted at one end at 17 to one of the ties Specification of Letters Patent. Patentd Sept. 20, 1 921 1921. Serial No. 450,653.

10 is a relatively heavy lever member 18,

extending over'a plurality of the ties-10 and pivoted at the other'end at-19'to the "bridle or switch bar 16..

By this arrangement when the lever meniber 18 is movedlaterally upon its pivot 17 the switch-points 14 and 15 will be actuated. Supported adjacent the rails-11 and 12 and bridging the same, is an oblong frame,

comprising vertical side members 20 and transverse head members 21', the latter being at a suificient distance above the track to enable the'cars with a. man standing thereon to pass beneath without danger tothe brake-- man on: the car.

'Mounted for rotation in bearing members 22 on the uprights 20 at one side of the track is-a vertical rod 23 having a crank 24 at the.

The crank is coupled by a link '26 to the lever member 18 intermediate its end. At-

Mounted for arranged to hold the rod 30 yieldably for rotation in one direction only, and thus hold the clutch-element 28 and 31 yieldably locked against the pawl 27 A tubular guide member 34 is suspended from the frame member.

21 by hangers 35 to carry a pull cable 36, and connected to the crank element 32 and the other end projecting within reach of the brakeman on the car moving on the track. As the car approaches the switch if it is to be shunted or moved on the side track, the brakeman pulls downwardly on the cable 36 and rotates the rod 30, and throws the switch into open position orv in position to move the car onto the side track. If the car is to travel along the main line, then of course the brakeman pays no attention to the cable 36 but passes beneath it.

If a second car approachesand is also to go on the switch track, the apparatus needs no attention, but ifthe next car is to run on the mainline, another pull on thecable 36 will again actuate-the rod against the spring 33 and reverse the movement of the lever member 18 and closethe switch to the main tain circumstances if preferred, for instance,

line, as will be obvious; p If a train approaches on the main line 'from the opposite direction andthe switch members ltand are closed to the switch track, then the clutch device opens theswitch and'the train proceedsonthe main line, in the usualmanner.

i The terminals of the tubular member 34- are preferably flared as shown so that the therein without binding or'cutting. V 1 t v In Figs. 5 and 6 a modification in the device is shown, the clutch element 28 being displayed by'an operating crank rod 37 extending within reachvofthe' brakeman on thecar; g

This modification can be used under cerin casethe track is run into a contracted space so that there is not room forthe overhead operative member 34. l

V The improved device is simple in con- ,struction, can be inexpensively manufactured and applied and adapted without ma- ?terial structural change to various forms of switches and the value of the track.

1 The preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the drawings and set forth in the specification, but it will be understood that any modifications within, the

scope of the claims may be' made in the construction without departing from the principle of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus descri-bedthe invention What is claimed as new is i 1. A' switch operating mechanism com prising a lever member adapted to be coupled atone end toa switch bar and pivoted at the other end adjacent to one of the rails of a railway track,a crank rod m0unted forsrotation and coupled to the lever member intermediate its ends, a ratchet member connected to said crank r'o'd,a stop pawl associated with said ratchet member, and means operative from a car for rotating the crank rod.

2. A switch operating mechanism comprising a lever member adapted to [be cou led at one end to a switch bar and pivote at the other end adjacent to one of the rails of a railway track, a 'crankfrodmounh ed for'rotation and coupled to the lever member intermediate its ends, a ratchet member connected to said crank rod, a'stop; pawl associated with said :ratchet member, a clutchelement carried by said crank rod, a spring controlled operating rod, an opposing clutch element carried, by said operating rod, and means operative-from a car for actuating said operating rod against the V resistance of its s ring.

In testimony w ereof, I aflix my signature hereto. I

a DUGALD J. KELLY 

